Differential



Nov. 4, 1930. I c -r 1,780,745

DIFFERENTIAL Filed Jan. 14, 1929 7 gear 16.

latented NW4, 1936 UNITED STATES.

GEORGE E. EGKART, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS," ASSIGNOB TO GEORGE A,

TEE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS CHEI'rroir, TRUS- PATENT- DIFFERENTIAL IApplication filedpJanuary 14, 1929. Serial No. 332,504.

An object of this invention is to provide a differential which containsyieldable elements so that road shocks received through the rear axlewill not be transmitted back to the propeller shaft, and likewise suddenstrains in the propeller shaft will not be transmitted as shocks to therear wheels.

Another object of this invention is to provide a differential of thiskind which is simple and compact sothat it can be readilyenclosedspherical heads 31 and nuts 32 are freely movable insemi-spherical cups 33, which are within a differential housing.

These and other objects, as will hereinafter appear, are accomplished bythis invention which is fully described in the following specification,and is shown in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is avertical longitudinal section through a differential embodying theinvention; and i I Fig. 2 is a partial end elevation on the line 2 ofFig. 1.

The embodiment illustrated comprises a differential housing forming partof a rear axle construction within which rear axle shafts 11 and 12 areenclosed, these shafts being provided with suitable ball bearings 13 and14, the ones shown being of the well known combinfeid radial and thrusttype. These shafts, as will later be described in detail, are connectedthrough flexible couplings A, B, with bevel gears 15 and 16 which inturn mesh with driving pinions 17 and 18 which are carried by the wormwheel 19, which meshes with a worm 20, the latter being driven through apropeller shaft in a well known manner. 7

The two sides ofthe diflerential are similar so that a description ofone will suffice for both. The rear axle shaft'12 is splined to receivethe correspondingly splined hub 21 of the flange 22. A helical spring23'is firmly secured as by welding to annular rings 24 and 25. Theannular ring 25 is provided with arcuate lugs 26 which fit intocorrespondingly shaped openings 27 in the flange 22. Similar lugs 28 onthe annular ring 24 fit into similar openings 29 in the bevel Thus itwill be seen that as the bevel gear 16 is driven, it acts through thespring 23 to, drive the flange 22 which in turn drives the axle shaft12; The bevel gear 16 and the flange 22 are connected by means of aplurality Ofradius rods 30'which are provided at one end with enlargedsemi-spherical heads 31, and at the opposite end with similarly shapednuts 32 which are screwed on the threaded ends of the radius rods 80,after which the nuts 32 are electrically Welded or otherwise firmlysecured in place. The semiplaced in openingsin the gear 16 and in theflange 22. j

The gear 16 is provided with a hub"3 1 which is journaled upon the hub21of the flange so "that as the gear 16 turns with respect to the'shaft,,itremains concentric therewith. It will also be observed that asthe gear 16 moves with respect to the flange 22, the radius rods 30 willmove away from their normal position at right angles to both of thesemembers so that the gear and flange will be drawn toward each other tosome extent.

The bevel gears 17, ofwhich there are usually four in number, set 90apart, are journaled upon pins 35 which are firmly secured in a centralring 36, which is journaled upon the two opposing flange hubs 21. Theouter end of the pins 35 are held in semi cylindr'ical openings for theopposing annular clamping members 37 and 38. Bolts 39 pass through themembers 57 and 38 and also through the worm wheel 19, and have nutsferential action to take place, and at the 7 same time provides ayieldable connection between the drive and each of the rear wheels .2

so that any road shock received by either will not be transmitted to theother rear wheel, nor to the propeller shaft of'the au- I scope of theinvention as disclosed in the appended claims. I

I claim: e 1. In a difli'erential, oppositely extending axle shafts,flanged members keyed there- I on, opposed bevel, gears rotatably.mounted on Saidfflanged members, heliealfspi'ing means connecting eachof said flanged mem; bers and its bevel gear, radius rods Connect ingsaid bey'el geanand flanged member; and means for simultaneouslydriying'fsaid bei el gears. I

2. In a diflerential, oppositely extending axle shafts, flanged memberskeyed thereon, opposed bevel gears iofiatably mounted' -0n "saidflanged. members, a' helical spi'ing Q ne ting. each of; d' flanged mmbers audits b el ear,. 1a u rod on e in Sai -be l ,ge aandsfl ge mem mn a nsim ltanewsly; drivingfs id v lflgear j aghou sing enclosing a saidpartsranldzcaryieg hearings msa d shaf s,

1 a, ifie1:en ial, ppesi y xtending- V i 259121 1 991 bevelgears lrp ately-nnounted n a e sa d flanged 1nen1bers, radius 1ocls,co11nec tandv itsflanged member, said means tending; to force said-gear and memberapait v1 In testimony whereof I hayehereunio set a my hand this 11th day ofJanuary, 1929.

. V GEQRGE F; ECKART.

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